Breathing

Whew! It has been a busy week. It has, however, been a good week. I'm feeling pretty good about my progress towards my goals. I'm thinking that normal every day parenting includes expression of displeasure (yelling, and nagging are natural at some level) but I have avoided expression of irritation that degrades and belittles. Yay!

Turns out that breathing is a good thing when changing habits and running around like a crazy person. I was thinking that we really take some basics for granted. Obviously, we need to breath to live. But, more importantly, we can live better if we breath better. It will get us through difficulty. Slow, deep breathing calms. A slow four count of breath in followed by a four count hold with a slow four count release - this is like magic on the drive to and from work. Repeat ad infinitum!

When angry, our breathing rate naturally increases thus intentionally slowing and deepening our breath can help release the anger even when the situation hasn't changed at all! A nice deep breath aids in relaxation. Oxygenating our blood and brains so that we aren't flummoxed by events and emotion. Think of how babies and puppies breath, they heave a giant breath and relax into comfort. I want to breath like that! I want to walk through life feeling comfortable and relaxed; ready for anything!

Exercise and breathing are also inextricably linked. Wogging (my walk/jog activity) is always better with steady breathing. I can wog longer with steady, thoughtful breathing. Strength training, sit ups they are all better with the slow steady breathing approach.

Seems like taking breathing for granted is no good. In everything we do, taking time (just a second or two) to think about our breathing would be helpful. Calming, relaxing, refreshing, rejuvenating all these positive feelings through awareness of breath. Wow! Cool! Breathing with thought and purpose here at the Blunderosa!